Conflict is like the air we breathe. It is all around us and necessary for life. Sometimes it is murky and foggy and at other times it is clear and fresh. Just as our behavour affects the air around us, so too does it affect the development of conflict situations and the management of them. As nurses you will encounter conflict, and you will create it; these are inevitable facts of life. You will not be able to prevent all the conflict in your personal or professional lives; however you can educate yourself about it, understand it better and try some new approaches so that you will be better equipped to manage and deal with problems as they arise. The aim of this article is to get you started towards that goal.